Alphabaculoviruses are lepidopteran-specific nucleopolyhedroviruses that replicate within the nucleus; however, the anterograde transport of the nucleocapsids of these viruses, which is an obligatory step for progeny virion production, is not well understood. In the present study, a unique Alphabaculovirus gene with unknown function, namely, the Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) ac51 gene,...

Avibirnavirus protein VP1, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, is responsible for IBDV genome replication, gene expression, and assembly. However, little is known about its chemical modification relating to its polymerase activity. In this study, we revealed the molecular mechanism of ubiquitin modification of VP1 via a K63-linked ubiquitin chain during infection. Lysine (K) residue 751 at the C terminus of VP1 is the target site for...

Primary VZV infection results in the widespread dissemination of the virus throughout the host. Viral transportation is known to be directly influenced by susceptible immune cells in the circulation. Moreover, infection of immune cells by VZV results in attenuation of the antiviral mechanisms used to control infection and limit spread. Here, we provide evidence that human monocytes, which are highly abundant in the circulation, are...

The “open” CD4-bound conformation of HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins is the primary target of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediating antibodies present in HIV-positive (HIV+) sera, such as anti-coreceptor binding site and anti-cluster A antibodies. Here we report that the binding of these two families of antibodies is required to engage FcγRIIIa and mediate ADCC.

Ebola virus and Nipah virus (EBOV and NiV) can cause fatal disease in humans. In contrast, infected fruit bats do not develop symptoms but can transmit the virus to humans. Why fruit bats but not humans control infection is largely unknown. Tetherin is an antiviral host cell protein and is counteracted by the EBOV glycoprotein in human cells. Here, employing model systems, we show that tetherin of fruit bats displays higher antiviral...

HSV-1-induced eye disease is a major public health problem. Eye disease is associated closely with immune responses to the virus and is exacerbated by delayed clearance of the primary infection. The immune system relies on antigen-presenting cells of the innate immune system to activate the T cell response. We found that HSV-1 utilizes a robust and finely targeted mechanism of local immune evasion. It downregulates the expression of the...